Political Socialization & Public Opinion Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

To what extent should public opinion drive public policy? Pluralistic View Believes that citizens should be informed and should participate in democratic decision making to ensure the health and vitality of the system Elitist View Believes that complex decisions need to be made free of public pressure. The masses should be “spectators” in the process Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

What types of values do Americans generally share? Fundamental Values What types of values do Americans generally share? Although we may share common values, we often disagree over their meaning and differ on specific policies related to these values Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

The Stability of Political Beliefs Public Opinion on Abortion Political Culture The set of economic, political, and governmental values and beliefs that support political institutions, processes and practices, and belief systems Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Pathways Past and Present: Sexism Reconsidered The percentage of people who believe that women should have an equal role with men in running business, industry, and government, 1972-2004 Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

From Values to Ideology Political Ideology A consistent set of fundamental beliefs about the proper purpose and scope of government Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Liberalism and Conservatism A belief in free markets, limited government, and individual self-reliance in economic affairs, combined with a belief in the value of tradition, law, and morality in social affairs Liberalism A belief in a strong government to provide economic security and protection for civil rights, combined with a freedom from government intervention in social conduct Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Ideology and Tolerance Whereas liberals are highly concerned about the issue of due process, conservatives tend to take a narrower view on the rights of the accused “It’s been hell! The breakfast bagels aren’t toasted, I can’t sleep with a nightlight, there’s no “dry hair” formula shampoo in the showers, and the guard won’t get close enough for me to stab him with a spoon!” Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Ideologies: Liberalism and Conservatism Liberals’ concern about efforts to curtail social welfare programs reflects their support of strong government Conservatives’ demand for tax cuts reflects a preference for government that encourages individual initiative Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Classic Liberalism v. Modern Liberalism Classic: from 18th century, wanted protection of property and limited role of govt. This is similar to today’s conservative! Modern (New Deal) Liberalism: wanted an expanded role of govt. Corporation seen as threat to liberty Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

The Conservative Movement Conservative movement was revitalized in the 1970s and 1980s Traditional conservatives and social conservatives merged to give the movement as a whole greater visibility Growth of neoconservatism Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Libertarianism An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on a sharply limited government, promoting a free market economy, a noninterventionist foreign policy, and an absence of regulation in the moral and social spheres Michael Badnarik, Libertarian candidate for president in 2004 Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Populist Individuals who share with conservatives a concern for traditional values, but like liberals, favor an active role in economics Most committed to activism Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Differences in Political Ideology Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Political Ideology over Time Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Ideology Curve Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Political Socialization The conscious and unconscious transmission of culture and values from one generation to another. A process through which people learn political information, form political knowledge, and develop political values Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Agents of Socialization #1- Family How does family influence our beliefs? Family has STRONGEST influence on political identification Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Agents of Socialization Agent #2- Schools & Education How does the education we receive impact our political views? Studies show the more formal education one receives, the more knowledge of issues and events, the more likely to participate in politics/government Higher education level -> more liberal Schools Schools teach an idealized view of the nation’s slogans and symbols Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Education Education tends to increase citizens’ awareness and understanding of political issues, often having a liberalizing effect on non-fiscal social issues Percentage of Americans Favoring Particular Public Policies, by Education, 2004 Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Agents of Socialization #3- Religion Those raised in religious households tend to be socialized to contribute to society and to get involved in their communities Social Status Theory: Catholics & Jews originally poor & discriminated attached to more liberal social doctrine Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Religion Today nearly 85 percent of Americans say that they belong to an organized religion, 75 percent say that religion is important to their lives, and 95 percent say that they believe in God Percentage of Americans Identifying with the Major Political Parties, by Religion Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Agents of Socialization #4- Peers and Community Research shows that in heterogeneous communities, political participation tends to be higher, with more contested and competitive elections and with more political debate than in homogeneous communities Studies show when peers engage in political discussion, political attitudes are formed and solidified Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Agents of Socialization #5- Media Most get information from television People tend to gravitate towards media that matches their views (selective attention) Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Other Agents of Socialization Gender: Men more conservative, women more liberal (more nurturing?) Race: The lighter the more conservative. Blacks most solid group (Democratic) Asian Americans identify more with Republicans Latinos more Democratic Income: The more wealth, the more conservative. Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Economic Bases of Partisanship and Public Opinion The principal generalization that you can make about loyalties to the parties in modern times is that they are based primarily on socioeconomic status Percentage of Americans Favoring Particular Public Policies, by Family Income, 2004 Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

What are some of the consequences of these polarized views? Race and Ethnicity 49 percent of white respondents think that affirmative action has gone too far, while 79 percent of minority respondents think that it is still needed. What are some of the consequences of these polarized views? Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall

Impact of Events--September 11 The attacks of 9/11 altered public opinion in two ways Concerns over personal safety have diminished but a general sense of fear remains Prompted a surge in patriotism and a sense of uniting in battle Copyright 2006 Prentice Hall